There's not a slowly-paced scene or a dull moment to be found. If nothing else, this film won't bore the average viewer. However, when Hackers has been dissected, what's uncovered beneath the flashy skin is an old-fashioned, film-by-numbers thriller.

Parents need to know that there's a little drinking, a fair amount of smoking, and some quite explicit sexual fantasies in this film. The anti-authoritarian culture of computer hacking is glorified, and little distinction is made between harmless pranks and destructive viruses.

Families can talk about computer hacking and the ethics of the online world. Should information be shared freely or controlled? How would you feel if somebody hacked into your computer or if a virus damaged your files? This might be an opportunity to find out what your kid thinks about common activities like downloading music -- is it wrong to shoplift something from a store but okay to download music without permission?

The good stuff

Messages: Computer hacking. The creation of destructive viruses is celebrated.

What to watch for

Violence: Not an issue

Sex: Suggestive dancing; explicit sexual fantasies.

Language: Not an issue

Consumerism: Not an issue

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Smoking and some drinking; no consequences.

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